MUNFORD, Tenn.—Driving on the back roads of western Tennessee it’s hard to comprehend how the state is part of the 2018 midterm battleground. Looking at the yard signs and bumper stickers, you wouldn’t even know there was a Democrat running against Republican Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn.

Tennessee Democrat Phil Bredesen is out with a new ad defending his handling of sexual harassment claims as governor with testimonials from women who worked with him, but Republicans immediately targeted it as part of a “cover-up” attempt.

The National Rifle Association released a new ad opposing Tennessee Democrat Phil Bredesen and supporting Republican Marsha Blackburn this week in the gun-rights group’s latest foray into the hotly contested Senate race.

The National Rifle Association demanded Phil Bredesen, the Democratic nominee in the 2018 Tennessee Senate race, retract an ad touting an outdated rating from the organization.

“Phil Bredesen is a ‘D’ rated candidate, and he will not protect our constitutional rights in Washington, D.C.,” Chris W. Cox, chairman of the NRA’s Political Victory Fund, said in a statement. “Tennesseans should not be fooled by his false and misleading campaign ads.”